Good afternoon, this is W42ST Lifestyle Editor Sarah Beling with “Make Way For The Weekend” — your curated guide to the best of New York events in one convenient newsletter!
Last week: It’s a new year! The world is my oyster!!! This is my chance to do everything (everywhere, all at once!)!!!!!!!
This week: It’s ONLY January 12th??? Does this article make sense??? I hate everything I’ve ever written!! I’m subsisting solely off a chocolate cake I made last weekend!! I restarted The Sopranos instead of going to exercise class!!!
If this scenario sounds familiar to you, join me in…chilling. We’re going to figure it out. Together. Yes, there is so! much! to! do! now that we’re well into 2023, but we simply won’t be more productive if we don’t take at least a little time to relax this weekend. Let’s go!!!
❓Quick Question
Is there a place in New York that resets your mental peace? Asking for a friend.
🏈 wild wild west
If you’ve been nervously checking your fantasy lineups (like someone I know and who I may or may not be married to), why not multitask with a beer at Wild Card Weekend at Daltons Bar Saturday January 14, Sunday January 15 and Monday January 16.
🌳 it’s bumpin’ at bryant park
The holiday market may be gone, but you can still take a ride on the Bumper Cars at Bryant Park in the Winter Village, starting Saturday January 14. It’s great practice for driving in Midtown 👀
🎭 the same questions, the same answers
You know my emo soul loves an existentially bleak tragicomedy and Samuel Beckett’s Endgame is no exception. Playing Wednesday January 25 through March 12 at Irish Rep, the hilariously dark play stars the legendary Bill Irwin and John Douglas Thompson.
🌳 trailblazers
Honoring the work of the late Dr Martin Luther King Jr and social justice trailblazers, the Central Park Conservancy is hosting Activism in Central Park guided tours Saturdays January 14, 21, 27 where you can learn about Dr King’s 1967 speech in the park as well as the work of other New York City activists who made their mark there.
🎶 she’ll give you fever
Renowned vocalist, Tony nominee, and most importantly, the woman who sang The Nanny theme song (!!!), Ann Hampton Callaway sings Peggy Lee & the 70s at 54 Below Sunday January 15, where she’ll croon through the Fever performer’s catalog with style and flair.
🎶 tiger daughter
Telling tales of her relationship with her Chinese immigrant mother and adventures singing backup for Gen Z pop stars, musician Charlene Kaye: Tiger Daughter comes to Ars Nova Friday January 20.
👠 “i’ve spent forty thousand dollars on shoes?!”
Listen, no one knows a high heel like our unofficial mayor of New York Carrie Bradshaw/Sarah Jessica Parker. If you’ve been eyeing one of the glittery pumps from her collection (mmmmmm maybe I have) SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker is running a sample sale now through January 21 in Midtown.
🎭 dive in
Much-loved comedian Mike Birbiglia tackles the coming-of-middle-age in signature droll style in one man show The Old Man and the Pool, playing now through Sunday January 15 at Lincoln Center.
🎭 now here this
Are you an indecisive theatergoer? Try a little bit of everything at the Prototype Festival at HERE Arts Center now through Sunday January 15, where you can see contemporary opera, experimental music theater and animated new works to get you thinking.
🥯 carbathon
Mmmmmm National Bagel Day (Sunday January 15) may or not be made up but I don’t care!! Go out and celebrate at the Bagelfest Winter Games in Industry City, where you can play Bagel Connect 4, enjoy sampler flights of bagels and if you’re not yet full, even enter a bagel eating contest!!!
📚literary brat pack alert
If you are fascinated by the wild (!!!) world of the 80s “literary Brat Pack” outlined in the podcast Once Upon a Time at Bennington College (and if you are like, “what are you talking about??”, I recommend you check it out!!!!!!), head over to Brooklyn to see leading character Bret Easton Ellis in conversation with Naomi Fry about his new novel The Shards Thursday January 26.
🍿 get out of your shell
Jenny Slate’s adorable cult favorite Marcel the Shell with Shoes On screens at the Museum of the Moving Image Saturday January 14 in a “giddy comedy that its stealth exploration of loss and heartbreak might just sneak up on you.”
🎤 defending democracy
Head to BAM to hear keynote civil rights lawyer and keynote speaker Sherrilyn Ifill give a timely call to action at the 37th annual Brooklyn Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr Monday January 16.
🎶 the art of thinking out loud
Featuring hundreds of world-renowned musicians, the NYC Winter Jazz Fest comes to town Thursday January 12 through Wednesday January 18, with shows all over the city and a music marathon Friday January 13 where you can jam all night.
🍸 raise a glass
Stop by the Museum of the City of New York Thursday January 19 for Cocktails and Culture, where you can hear performances from acclaimed bandola performer, Mafer Bandola and her trio (Mafer, Pat Swoboda and Andrés Fonseca), with specialty Venezuelan Guarapita cocktails and mocktails, and even a the flavors of Hell’s Kitchen’s own Empanada Mama!
🎶 pour yourself a cup of ambition/ logline appreciation alert!!
“This is for the 9 to 5 workin’ girls with a calling from another era who just want something a little classic. Join us in Rainbowland where you’ll dance with somebody, hand in hand to the music of Dolly Parton, Kasey Musgraves, Orville Peck, Shania Twain, Miley Cyrus, Cher, Whitney Houston, The Chicks, Madonna, Tina Turner, Sheryl Crow and more” at The Dolly Party Saturday January 14 at Brooklyn Bowl!
🔥 Hot tip
Going out to a new restaurant feels like a treat! Getting a large bill at the end does not! Have it both ways by trying new, fancy spots and your old favorites for a prix fixe fare at NYC Restaurant Week, running Tuesday January 17 through Sunday February 12 (reservations are available to book now!). And if you’re looking for local spots, make sure to check out our very own guide to RW in Hell’s Kitchen and Hudson Yards!
⚠️ Omg I forgot to tell you
Stranger Sings musical parody is extending
There’s a Mamma Mia Drag Brunch in Long Island City Sunday January 15
Jerry Seinfeld returns to the Beacon January 20
There’s a Gasolina reggaeton dance party at Webster Hall Saturday January 14
Join a World Logic Day dance party at Union Hall Saturday January 14
That’s it for now! Call me beep me if you want to reach me! (sarah@w42st.com)
If you were forwarded this email, why not get the exclusive? Sign up here!